If NOT, try one of these:

Types of Leg Injuries

Fracture. This is the medical name for a broken bone. The most common broken bone in the leg is the tibia. The tibia is the largest bone in the lower part of the leg. Children with a fracture are not able to bear weight or walk.

Dislocation. This happens when a bone is pulled out of its joint. The most common one in the leg is a dislocated kneecap (patella).

Sprains. Sprains are stretches and tears of ligaments. A sprained ankle is the most common ligament injury of the leg. It's usually caused by turning the ankle inward. Also, called a "twisted ankle." The main symptoms are pain and swelling of the outside of the ankle.

Strains. Strains are stretches and tears of muscles (a pulled muscle)

Muscle Overuse. Muscle pain can occur without an injury. There is no fall or direct blow. Muscle overuse injuries are from sports or exercise. Shin splints of the lower leg are often from running up hills.

Muscle Bruise from a direct blow. Bleeding into the quad (thigh muscles) is very painful.

Bone Bruise from a direct blow (like on the hip). Called a "hip pointer."

Skin Injury. Examples are a cut, scratch, scrape or bruise. All are common with leg injuries.

Pain Scale

Mild: Your child feels pain and tells you about it. But, the pain does not keep your child from any normal activities. School, play and sleep are not changed.

Moderate: The pain keeps your child from doing some normal activities. It may wake him or her up from sleep.

Severe: The pain is very bad. It keeps your child from doing all normal activities.

When to Call for Leg Injury

Call 911 Now

Major bleeding that can't be stopped.

Serious injury with many broken bones

Bone is sticking through the skin

Looks like a dislocated joint (hip, knee or ankle)

You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor Now or Go to ER

Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches

Age under 1 year old

Severe pain and not better 2 hours after taking pain medicine

Can't move hip, knee or ankle normally

Knee injury with a "snap" or "pop" felt at the time of impact

You think your child has a serious injury

You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Call Doctor Within 24 Hours

Has a limp when walking

Very large bruise

Large swelling

Pain not better after 3 days

You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Call Doctor During Office Hours

Injury limits sports or school work

Dirty cut and no tetanus shot in over 5 years

Clean cut and no tetanus shot in over 10 years

Pain lasts more than 2 weeks

You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Bruised muscle or bone from direct blow

Pain in muscle from minor pulled muscle

Pain around joint from minor stretched ligament

Call 911 Now

Major bleeding that can't be stopped.

Serious injury with many broken bones

Bone is sticking through the skin

Looks like a dislocated joint (hip, knee or ankle)

You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor Now or Go to ER

Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches

Age under 1 year old

Severe pain and not better 2 hours after taking pain medicine

Can't move hip, knee or ankle normally

Knee injury with a "snap" or "pop" felt at the time of impact

You think your child has a serious injury

You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Call Doctor Within 24 Hours

Has a limp when walking

Very large bruise

Large swelling

Pain not better after 3 days

You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Call Doctor During Office Hours

Injury limits sports or school work

Dirty cut and no tetanus shot in over 5 years

Clean cut and no tetanus shot in over 10 years

Pain lasts more than 2 weeks

You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Bruised muscle or bone from direct blow

Pain in muscle from minor pulled muscle

Pain around joint from minor stretched ligament

Care Advice for Minor Leg Injuries

What You Should Know About Minor Leg Injuries:

During sports, muscles and bones get bruised.

Muscles get stretched.

These injuries can be treated at home.

Here is some care advice that should help.

Pulled Muscle, Bruised Muscle or Bruised Bone Treatment:

Pain Medicine. To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol). Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Use as needed. Ibuprofen works better for this type of pain.

Cold Pack. For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth. Put it on the sore muscles for 20 minutes. Repeat 4 times on the first day, then as needed. Reason: Helps with the pain and helps stop any bleeding. Caution: Avoid frostbite.

Heat Pack. If pain lasts over 2 days, put heat on the sore muscle. Use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes, then as needed. Caution: Avoid burns. For stiffness all over, use a hot bath instead. Move the sore leg muscles under the warm water.

Cold Pack: For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth. Put it on the ankle or knee for 20 minutes. Repeat 4 times on the first day, then as needed. Reason: Helps with the pain and helps stop any bleeding. Caution: Avoid frostbite.

To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol). Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Use as needed. Continue for at least 48 hours.

Keep the injured ankle or knee elevated and at rest for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, allow any activity that doesn't cause pain.

What to Expect:

Pain and swelling usually peak on day 2 or 3.

Most often, swelling is gone in 7 days.

Pain may take 2 weeks to fully go away.

Call Your Doctor If:

Pain becomes severe

Pain is not better after 3 days

Pain lasts more than 2 weeks

You think your child needs to be seen

Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

This ankle sprain occurred while playing basketball. There is visible swelling of the outside (lateral aspect) of the left ankle.

First Aid Care Advice for Ankle Sprain:

Wrap with a snug elastic bandage.

Apply an ice pack (crushed ice in a plastic bag covered with a towel) to reduce swelling and pain.

First Aid - Bleeding Leg

Apply direct pressure to the entire wound with a sterile gauze dressing or a clean cloth.

First Aid - R.I.C.E.

RICE is an acronym for how to take care of a sprain, strain, or bruise. There are four things you should do:

REST the injured part of your body for 24 hours. Can return to normal activity after 24 hours of rest if the activity does not cause severe pain.

Apply a cold pack or an ICE bag (wrapped in a moist towel) to the area for 20 minutes. Repeat in 1 hour, then every 4 hours while awake.

Apply COMPRESSION by wrapping the injured part with a snug, elastic bandage for 48 hours. If numbness, tingling, or increased pain occurs in the injured part, the bandage may be too tight. Loosen the bandage wrap.

Keep the injured part of the body ELEVATED and at rest for 24 hours. For example, for an injured ankle, place that leg up on a pillow and stay off the feet as much as possible.

First Aid - Cold Pack for Minor Leg Injury

Apply a cold pack or an ice bag (wrapped in a moist towel) to the area for 20 minutes. Repeat in 1 hour, then every 4 hours while awake.

First Aid - Splint for Ankle Injury

Wrap a large soft pillow around ankle and foot (Reason: to support ankle and foot and keep bones from moving around).

Call today to book your child's yearly well exam. If your child needs any forms filled out for sports, camp or college, our physicians can only do so if your child has had a well visit within the past twelve months.